The Trouble With Istanbul – Part 1

No one will hold it against you if you thought Istanbul was the capital of Turkey (I know I did – it’s actually Ankara). This sprawling economic metropolis spans across both Europe and Asia with a cityscape chock-full of Byzantium and Ottoman era architecture.

When my wife and I first arrived, we immediately noticed a city of immaculate contrasts: A juxtaposition of Old World and New World architecture with both European and Asian influences. We saw trams chugging along past 15th century bazaars; we saw modern fixtures, like ATMs and restaurants, sitting side by side with Mosques and Palaces.

As we checked into our hostel in the Sultanahmet district, we knew immediately that we were in trouble! Istanbul is a menagerie of sights, restaurants, shopping and experiences and three days was not nearly enough time!

But with a fistful of Lira (ATMS are very accessible) we sure as hell were going to try.

For those with limited time like my wife and I, Sultanahmet, on the Eminonu Istanbul Turkey side, is a great starting point which itself is a Unesco World Heritage site. In addition to having accommodations for all budgets, Sultanahmet is also central to a number of popular sights all within walking distance. The Old City is street after street of architectural treasures and you can easily wander aimlessly amongst the old buildings and alleyways.

Here are some of the things we enjoyed while visting Istanbul, and hopefully you will too:

Eminonu Istanbul Turkey side:

Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka The Blue Mosque

Located on the edge of the Sultanahmet district, the Blue Mosque is an absolute must for anyone traveling to Istanbul. It’s also hard to ignore considering you can pretty much see its giant dome and 6 minarets jutting into the sky from any point in the city. We tried to hit this early in the morning, after the first prayer service, but were surprised that a few hundred other people had the same idea! Still, bear the line and you won’t be disappointed. The interior is equally as grand as the exterior (try to count the windows). The females are provided a shawl to cover their hair and shoulders, if needed.

Sultan Ahmed – The Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia aka AyaSofya

Right across from the Blue Mosque is Hagia Sofia, a much older and equally as impressive structure. Now converted to a museum, we were ecstatic to be able to indulge our inquisitive need to explore. First thing we noticed is how richly ornate the interior is; large imperial doors, numerous arched openings, and gorgeous mosaics. There’s also an accessible upper level that provides a great vantage point for the whole room. We really enjoyed Ayasofya, as it didn’t feel rushed and we were able to take our time to enjoy all the little details.

Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Interior

Kapaliçarşi aka The Grand Bazaar

No trip is complete without some shopping (according to my wife anyways). One of the oldest, and largest covered markets, The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is a cacophony of sights and sounds. I honestly can’t remember all the details; I think we spent more time trying to find our way back from where we came. Although we did end up seeing the same shops street by street and it does get overwhelming at times, the Bazaar is a fun and fascinating place to observe a part of Istanbul’s history. If you’re not careful, you can burn hours away here.

Gran Bazaar

Misir Çarşisi aka Spice Bazaar aka Egyptian Bazaar

For those whom need another induction into Istanbul, the Spice Bazaar won’t disappoint. Not nearly as large as its more famous cousin, the Spice Bazaar still has its charms. With stalls filled with colorful spices and all things Turkish, the bazaar epitomizes the romanticism of Istanbul. We did notice that there were more locals here and that everyday items, like groceries, could also be purchased.

Spice Bazaar

Topkapi Palace

A massive Ottoman palace on the eastern peninsula of where the Golden horn begins, Topkapi Palace is well worth at least 4 hours. Just walk east from the Sultanahmet and you can’t miss it (it’s actually right behind AyaSofya). No matter what time you go, you’ll probably have to wait in line. We arrived at 9am, and still waited about 30 minutes for ticketing. Also worth mentioning, there are 3 museums, each requiring their separate passes: the main palace (30 TL museum), the Harem ( 15 TL), and Hagia Irene (20 TL). We were on a budget, so we decided to pass on Hagia Irene.

Topkapi Palace

Some of the exhibits also have a dress code prohibiting shorts, and exposed shoulders. I usually bring convertible pants, while my wife carries a travel scarf, so fortunately we were prepared. They do provide coverings in case you forget – so you won’t have to make that long walk back down the hill.

Topkapi Palace

Basilica Cistern

Amidst all the other high-profile sites like the Blue Mosque and AyaSofya, it’s really easy to overlook the Basilica Cistern. Word of advice…go see it! It’s absolutely a worthwhile stop on the way to the Grand Bazaar or even after AyaSofya. This place is awesome and we almost missed it! I literally led us in circles for a good 20 minutes and even had to break for lunch! The entrance is quite nondescript resembling a gendarmerie station and certainly belies what’s underneath. First thing you’ll notice as you enter this underground temple is how immense the chamber is, the second thing you’ll notice are the rows and rows of colonnades. The line and crowds are reasonable (I think we waited maybe 10 minutes) so you can easily make it a quick detour.

About Carey

Hi I’m Carey a full-time adventurer and I travel to learn, I travel to live and I aspire to say “yes” to everything. ☺ I love backpacking, and thrive when traveling unscripted. I hope to leave my shoes well worn, with no stone unturned, all while meeting new friends in the process.

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